Lubricator



(no Modem A.@H0M RD.

EJZBBRIGATOR.

- Patented Sept. 29, 1896. I

mvru-rug 1-- CAN fiuw WITNESSES v (l a i Sieam Chest igmrwai ATT DRNEY I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT D. HOMARD, OF MASSILLON, OHIO.

LUB RICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,616, dated September 29, 1896. Application filed May 29, 1896. Serial No. 593,678. (No model.)

To all 'whom it may concern.-

7 Be it known that I, ALBERT D. HOMARD, a citizen of the United States, residing. at Massillon, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lubricators, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a lubricator for dispensing or using flake graphite on locomotive valves and cylinders. As a lubricant for steam-valves in locomotives the flake graphite referred to is a very superior article, but it has been found difiicult to use it, and very unsatisfactory results have been obtained with the Various lubricatorcups now in use because of the inevitable tendency of the graphite to settle in a solid mass in the bottom of the cup of said lubricators.

By using the lubricator which is the subject of the present invention the difficulties referred to have been overcome, and flake graphite may now be used for steam-valves such as those named with the very best results.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawing certain means for carrying the same into practical effect, without, however, intending to limit my invention to the particular construction which, for the sake of illustration, I have shown.

The drawing shows a vertical section of the lubricator.

The letter A designates the cup or receptacle to contain the graphite. A stationary feed-tube B is secured in the bottom of the cup and projects upward at the centers At I the top this tube has an internal screw-thread,

' and an inlet-nozzle c is fitted therein and is graphite is to be placed in the cup A upon this piston, which latter serves as a movable bottom. When steam is admitted below the piston, as hereinafter described, the piston will be lifted and the entire bulk of lubricator above the piston will also be lifted. A cover or head G has a rim-flange h, which is internally screw-threaded and fits down around the top rim of the cup and screws thereon. This cover has on its lower surface pendent lugs 2', which serve as stops to limit the up movement of the piston, as indicated by broken lines. The cover on top and at the center has a boss 3', in which is an opening j, that is screw-threaded, and a plug K closes this opening.

In the bottom of the cup is a drain-cock m .to enable all the water and steam under the piston to be drawn off.

A stem N is attached below the cup, and its lower end has a screw-thread 0, by which it may be connected with the steam-chest of a cylinder or to any intermediate coupling, as N, which can be attached to the steam-chest. The stem has two passages 19 q, one of which opens into the bottom of the cup below the piston and is for the admission of steam, while the other, q, connects with the lower end of the feed-tube B and is for the outlet or down feed of the graphite.

The steam-passage hasa valve 19, by which it may be entirely or partially closed or entirely opened. The graphite feed-passage g has a similar valve q for the same purpose. Both passages are fitted at the lower end with a valve-bushing r 'r, and a check-valve is in each bushing, though the two valves check in opposite directions. Tl check 5 for the steam passage opens to allow the steam to enter the cup below the piston, but closes to prevent the back movement of the steam. The check-valve s in the graphite feed-passage opens to allow the flake graphite to pass from the tube B downward into the coupling N, and thence. to the steam-chest, but closes to prevent the steam passing upward into said graphite-passage. The checkvalves should preferably have three wings.

The operation is as follows: When the en gine is working, the steam-pressure will raise andvclose the check-valve s, and thus close the graphite feed-passage, and at the same time will raise and open the check-valve s and allow the steam to pass to the cup below the piston, and thereby cause said piston to move upward and force the flake graphite to fill the space at 6 above the inlet-nozzle c. \Vhen steam is shut off, the steam checkvalve 8 will drop to its seat and thus retain the pressure below the piston. At the same moment the graphite check-valve s will unseat, and by the suction action of the locomotive valve and piston the graphite in the space 15 will be drawn through the feed-tube l3, passage q, and through the unseated checkvalve 3 into the locomotive steam chest and cylinder. This operation will be repeated each time the steam is used and shut off by the engineer. The graphite will be fed or be drawn down only when suction caused by the steam takes place.

In case a coupling, such as N, is employed a branch pipe U may connect with said coupling and serves for attachment of a pipe lead ing from the sight-feed oil-lubricator that is usually located in the locomotive-cab. This is a provision for an oil-pipe to supply oil in connection with the graphite. This coupling N is no part of my present invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a lubricator for flake graphite, the combination of a closed cup; a stationary feed-tube secured in the cup; a piston fitting 2. In a lubricator for flake graphite, the I combination of a closed cup; a stationary feed-tube secured in the cup; a piston fitting in the cup and also around said feed-tube, and forming a space above the piston for the lubricant material and a space below the piston for steam; a steam-passage to supply steam below the piston, and force said piston and the lubricant upward; a lubricant 0utletpassage connected with the lower end of said feed-tube; and a cheek-valve in said lubricant outlet-passage, which is closed by pressure of steam.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT D. IIOMARD. \Vii nesses:

ROBERT II. DAY, ROBERT II. FoLGEn. 

